{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Independent\", state = \"ME\" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/bipartisan-group-of-senators-including-collins-king-voters-have-spoken-congress-must-fulfill-responsibility", "Bipartisan Group of Senators Including Collins, King: Voters Have Spoken, Congress Must Fulfill Responsibility", "2021-01-03", "2021", "2021-01", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) joined Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) to issue the following statement on the upcoming Congressional certification of the 2020 Presidential election results: The 2020 election is over.All challenges through recounts and appeals have been exhausted.At this point, further attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the 2020 Presidential election are contrary to the clearly expressed will of the American people andonly serve to undermine Americans' confidence in the already determined election results. The voters have spoken, and Congress must now fulfill its responsibility to certify the election results. In two weeks, we will begin working withour colleagues and the new Administration on bipartisan, common sense solutions to the enormous challenges facing our country.It is time to move forward.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-congressional-efforts-to-undermine-election-one-of-the-most-serious-assaults-upon-our-countrys-democratic-system-in-american-history", "King: Congressional Efforts to Undermine Election \u201cOne of the Most Serious Assaults Upon Our Country\u2019s Democratic System in American History\u201d", "2021-01-03", "2021", "2021-01", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement, emphasizing the dangers created by President Trump and his Congressional allies who continue to launch a ceaseless barrage of lies and unfounded charges and undermine Americans' faith in our nation's democratic systems: We are experiencing one of the most serious assaults upon our country's democratic system in American history. The President and a growing number of his Congressional enablers are plotting to overturn a legitimate election result, while simultaneously urging their supporters to take to the streets around the Capitol this week to intimidate or worse. These efforts are profoundly unpatriotic and stand no chance of succeeding, but their certain outcome is the undermining of the faith of Americans in their democratic system  and dividing our people for short-term personal or partisan gain. The President lost the election, decisively. He and his supporters have had two months to demonstrate otherwisethrough recounts, lawsuits, and ballot challenge procedures in each state. None of these challenges have resulted in any finding of fraud or miscounting of ballots. None. And yet, with each passing day, the allegations grow more shrill, the misinformation more intense, the threats more explicit. Allegations do not prove fraud, evidence does, and such evidence has simply not been produced by the President or his allies. This utter failure of proof has been confirmed by the President's hand-picked Attorney General, the nation's election security agency, more than 60 judges, Secretaries of State in every state, and thousands of election workers across the country, Republicans and Democrats. But sadly, it is the president's ceaseless barrage of lies and unfounded charges that have taken root among his supporters, to the point where some polls show that over 70% of Republicans now believe that the election was illegitimate. This dangerous, baseless campaign is a tear in the fabric of our democracy that will take decades to heal and will make it difficult, if not impossible, to come together and deal with the real issues confronting usstarting with the pandemic which is now killing more Americans every day than we lost on 9/11. It has become a clich, but our democracy really is an experiment, and a pretty short one at that. What's normal in world history are kings, dictators, pharaohs, czars, warlords and tyrants of all stripesand the people are at their mercy. What we havegovernment of the people, by the people, for the peopleis very unusual, and very fragile. It rests upon trustin facts, in courts, in honest public officials, and, yes, in elections. Without that trust, all is chaos and the peaceful transfer of power that has marked our nation as rare in world history can readily give way to violence. It's tough to lose an election, but in America, there is always another one coming in a few years where the outcome can be reversedby the simple expedient of making your case and earning more votes. President-Elect Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States on January 20th. Those who support incendiary, cynical actions to undermine this are putting partisan and political interests above the Constitution and are inflicting untold harm upon the heart of our democratic process.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-recording-of-trump-pressuring-georgia-secretary-of-state-to-alter-election-results-would-make-richard-nixon-blush", "King: Recording of Trump Pressuring Georgia Secretary of State to Alter Election Results \u201cWould Make Richard Nixon Blush\u201d", "2021-01-03", "2021", "2021-01", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after the Washington Post published audio of President Donald Trump attempting to pressure Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to alter the election results and find votes to falsely declare Trump the victor of Georgia's electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election. President Trump's efforts to pressure the Georgia Secretary of State into actual election fraud would make Richard Nixon blush. Let's call this what it is: an overt, corrupt attempt to overturn the will of the voters. We would rightly condemn this behavior if it occurred in another nation, and we should oppose it even more forcefully at home. My colleagues who are supporting this week's anti-democratic sideshow should listen to this recording, and think twice about if they're truly ready to go down in history with a President who so clearly and desperately wants to delegitimize democracy. Earlier today, Senator King released a statement emphasizing the dangers created by President Trump and his Congressional allies who continue to launch election misinformation, calling the efforts one of the most serious assaults upon our country's democratic system in American history.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ndaa-enacts-25-recommendations-from-the-bipartisan-cyberspace-solarium-commission", "NDAA Enacts 25 Recommendations from the Bipartisan Cyberspace Solarium Commission", "2021-01-02", "2021", "2021-01", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), co-chairs of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), today announced that 27 provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act directly draw from 25 CSC recommendations for improving U.S. cybersecurity posture have been codified into law with the Senate's 81-13 override vote on New Year's Day. The inclusion of the National Cyber Director (NCD) housed in the Executive Office of the President (EOP) is a real game changer. The NCD will be the President's principal advisor for cybersecurity-related issues, as well as lead national-level coordination of cybersecurity strategy and policy, both within government and with the private sector. We thank all members of congress and especially Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) for his leadership in getting this provision into the final conference report, said Co-Chairs Senator Angus S. King, Jr. and Representative Mike Gallagher. Strengthening national cybersecurity has been a priority of mine for more than a decade, and I am proud this year's NDAA is among the most consequential cybersecurity bills ever to become law, said Co-founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Cybersecurity Caucus Congressman Jim Langevin (D-R.I.). Developing and advancing the numerous legislative proposals to make America safer in cyberspace was a massive undertaking, but we are better off today because of it. I'm thankful to my fellow commissioners for working in a bipartisan fashion to advance key legislation that is going to make us more secure, including my National Cyber Director Act. With these policies enacted, we are establishing the forward-leaning, layered cyber deterrence strategy that we need to face emerging and evolving cyber threats and adversaries. Superpowers can't lose cyberwars and stay on top. Dominance in the cyber domain will dictate outcomes of modern wars, said Senator Ben Sasse (R-Neb.). The inclusion of over two dozen of our Commission's recommendations, as well as the establishment of a National Cyber Director, puts us on a stronger path to dominance. We've got a lot more work ahead, but can be proud of our progress. The FY21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) also includes another 50 cyber provisions developed and incorporated by Congressional committees, members and staff, and makes meaningful progress on improving the state of America's cyber defenses, reorganizing the government to successfully partner with the private sector to combat growing cyber threats, clarifying the roles and responsibilities of federal government agencies, and setting in motion critical processes like Continuity of the Economy planning. The Cyberspace Solarium Commission recommendations are included in these 27 NDAA provisions:   1705 - Strengthening Federal Networks (CSC      Recommendation 1.4): Authorizes CISA to conduct      unalerted threat hunting on federal networks.  1706 - Improvement Relating to the Quadrennial Cyber      Posture Review (CSC Recommendation 6.1 and 6.1.3): Directs      DoD to conduct a force structure assessment of the Cyber Mission Force to      ensure sufficient force structure and capabilities for the current threat      and mission, this will include and assessment fo the combat support      agencies that support the cyber mission.  1711 - Modification of acquisition      authority of Commander of United States Cyber Command (CSC Recommendation      6.1.1): Amends FY16 NDAA to change the acquisition authority      of USCC. (related to 1746)     1712 - Modification of Requirements Relating to the      Strategic Cyber Security Program and the Evaluation of Cyber      Vulnerabilities of Major Weapon Systems of the Department of Defense (CSC      Recommendation 6.2.b): Tasks DoD with developing a plan      for the annual assessment of cyber vulnerabilities of major weapon      systems, sharing lessons learned and best practices from the annual      assessment of cyber resiliency of nuclear command and control system  1714 - Renewing the Cyberspace Solarium Commission      (CSC Recommendation 0.0): Reauthorizes the CSC through late      December 2021.  1715 - Establishment in DHS of the Joint Cyber      Planning Office (CSC Recommendation 5.4):      Establishes a Joint Cyber Planning Office under CISA, to facilitate      comprehensive planning of defensive cybersecurity campaigns across federal      departments and agencies and the private sector.  1716 - Administrative Subpoena Authority for the      Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CSC Recommendation      5.1.3): Grants administrative subpoena authority to CISA in      order to identify vulnerable systems and notify public and private system      owners.  1718 - Cybersecurity Advisory Committee (CSC      Recommendation 1.4): Establishes a Cybersecurity      Advisory Committee to advise DHS/CISA.  1719 - Cybersecurity Education and Training      Assistance Program (CSC Recommendation 1.5.1): Authorizes      the (already existing) Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance      Program at DHS/CISAa K-12 cyber education initiative. CETAP will continue      to provide curricula for K12 education, resources and training for K12      educators. It will promote and support national standards for K12 cyber      education.  1722 - Report on the risk to national security posed      by quantum computing technologies (CSC Recommendation 6.2.4): Mandates      a comprehensive assessment of the threats and risks posed by quantum      technologies to national security systems.  1728 - Assessing Private-Public Collaboration in      Cybersecurity (CSC Recommendation 5.4.1): Requires      the DoD to assess of the impact of the current Pathfinder initiative, the      Department's support to and integration with existing Federal      cybersecurity centers, and comparable initiatives led by other Federal      departments or agencies that support long-term public-private      cybersecurity collaboration and make recommendations for improvements.  1729 - Clarifying the Cyber Capabilities and      Interoperability of the National Guard (CSC Recommendation 3.3.6): Directs      the DoD to evaluate statutes, rules, regulations, and standards that      pertain to the use of the National Guard for the response to and recovery      from significant cyber incidents.  1730 - Evaluation of non-traditional cyber support      to the Department of Defense (CSC Recommendation 6.1.7): Requires      an assessment from the DoD on the need for, models for, and requirements      of a cyber reserve force.  1731 - Establishment of an Integrated Cybersecurity      Center (CSC Recommendation 5.3): Directs      the executive branch to submit a report to Congress evaluating the Federal      cybersecurity centers and the potential for better coordination of Federal      cybersecurity efforts at an integrated cybersecurity center within CISA.  1737 - Defense Industrial Base Participation in a      Threat Intelligence Sharing Program (CSC Recommendation 6.2.1): Requires      DoD to assess the feasibility, suitability, and definition of, and      resourcing required to establish a DIB threat information sharing program.  1739 - Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Threat      Hunting and Sensing, Discovery, and Mitigation (CSC Recommendation 6.2.2): Requires      DoD to complete an assessment of the feasibility, suitability, and      resourcing required to establish a DIB cybersecurity threat hunting      program.  1744 - Creation of a Biennial National Cyber      Exercise (CSC Recommendation 3.3.5): Establishes      a national cyber exercise to be conducted every two years to include      federal, state, and private sector stakeholders, as well as international      partners.  1745 - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security      Agency Review (CSC Recommendation 1.4): Tasks DHS      with conducting a comprehensive review of the ability of the CISA to      fulfill its current and CSC recommended missions, this includes both a      force structure assessment and resource review..  1746 - Report on Enabling U.S. Cyber Command      Resource Allocation (CSC Recommendation 6.1.1): Requires      the DoD to submit a report to congress detailing actions to ensure that      USCC possesses the necessary authorities, direction, and control of the      Cyber Ops Forces and the budget needed to fulfill its mission. (related to      1711)  1747 - Ensuring Cyber Resiliency of Nuclear Command      and Control Systems (CSC Recommendation 6.2.a): Requires      the DoD to develop a comprehensive plan to implement findings and      recommendations pertaining to the cyber defense of nuclear command and      control systems.  1752 - Establish the National Cyber Director and the      Office of the National Cyber Director (CSC Recommendation 1.3):      Establishes a Senate-confirmed National Cyber Director within the White      House to serve as the President's principal cyber advisor and provide a      nexus for cybersecurity leadership in the White House.  9001 - DHS Strengthen CISA Director (CSC      Recommendation 1.4): Administrative changes to      strengthen the Director position at CISA.  9002 - Codify Sector Risk Management Agencies (CSC      Recommendation 3.1): Codifies Sector Specific Agencies as      Sector Risk Management Agencies, establishing minimum responsibilities and      requirements for identifying, assessing, and assisting in managing risk      for the critical infrastructure sectors under their purview.  9005 - GAO Study of Cybersecurity Insurance (CSC      Recommendation 4.4): Calls on the GAO to study ways to      improve the market for cybersecurity insurance.  9006 - Strategy to Secure Email (CSC Recommendation      4.5.2): Directs the DHS to develop a strategy to implement      the Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance      (DMARC) standard across all U.S.-based email providers to secure our      emails from spam and diminish the effectiveness of phishing emails.  9401-9407 - Recruit, Develop, and Retain a Stronger      Cyber Workforce (CSC Recommendation 1.5): Enhances      the federal government's ability to recruit, develop, and retain its cyber      workforce. Changes to NIST NICE, including a large grant program to      national partners, and improvements to the CyberCorps Scholarship for      Service program.  9603 - Continuity of the Economy Plan (CSC      Recommendation 3.2): Mandates the creation of a      Continuity of the Economy planning effort to ensure the rapid restart and      recovery of the U.S. economy after a major disruption.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.king.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/king-votes-to-override-presidential-veto-enact-defense-bill-containing-key-provisions-to-ensure-national-security-increase-cybersecurity-and-support-maine-jobs", "King Votes to Override Presidential Veto, Enact Defense Bill Containing Key Provisions to Ensure National Security, Increase Cybersecurity, and Support Maine Jobs", "2021-01-01", "2021", "2021-01", "Independent", "House", "ME", "Angus King", "K000383", "www.king.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), voted to override President Trump's veto of the Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, so that it can become law. The legislation includes important provisions to ensure America's national defense and supports jobs for Maine manufacturers at facilities like Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. In addition, this year's NDAA reflects the most comprehensive cybersecurity legislation ever passed by Congress, as it includes 27 provisions based on recommendations from the CSC. The Senate voted to override the President's December 23rd veto by a vote of 81 - 13; the veto was overridden by the House of Representatives earlier this week by an overwhelming vote of 322 - 87. Following these votes, the veto has been overridden and the legislation is now law. As it has for generations, Congress worked on a strongly bipartisan basis to craft this year's NDAA, which will strengthen our national security, improve pay and care for our servicemembers, and support jobs across Maine, including shipbuilding priorities at Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, said Senator King. In a Congress far too often marked by divisiveness, both Houses came together to advance this bill with overwhelming bipartisan majorities. Today, we've completed our work, and overridden the President's misguided veto to enact a bill that will make important steps to keep Americans safe. I'm particularly proud of the work done by this bill to improve our nation's cybersecurity posture. This year's NDAA includes 27 provisions proposed by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, which will create new cyberdefenses aimed at preventing incursions into or attacks on American networks, while also encouraging the government to craft a thoughtful deterrence strategy that gives our adversaries pause before attempting to harm us. I look forward to continuing to work with the CSC team, my Senate colleagues, and the incoming Biden Administration to improve our nation's cyber capabilities. Senator King successfully advocated for the inclusion of many provisions that will improve national security, support Maine jobs, and take care of servicemembers and veterans, including: FUNDING SHIPBUILDING PRIORITIES.The legislation authorizes $3.0 billion for the procurement of 2 DDG-51 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in fiscal year 2021, which Bath Iron Works (BIW) can compete to build. It also authorizes $334.3 million to fund future year DDG-51 procurements. In addition, the legislation authorizes funds $78.2 million for the completion of the DDG-1000 Zumwalt-class destroyers, all of which are being built at BIW.FUNDING CONSTRUCTION AT MAINE FACILITIES.The 2021 NDAA authorizes $160 million for construction of Dry Dock One at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard installation at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery. It also includes $26.1 million for perimeter security at the Naval Support Activity (NSA) Cutler in Cutler.ADVANCING CYBERSPACE SOLARIUM COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS.As the co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), Senator King advocated for the inclusion of27 provisions backed by the CSC to improve America's cybersecurity posture. Included in these provisions is the creation of a National Cyber Director  a key CSC priority to boost federal leadership on cybersecurity. Additional provisions will strengthen America's cyberdefense by empowering the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), examine some of the highest risk areas in cyberspace, and creating a plan to ensure continuity of the economy in the event of a major disruption.SUPPORTING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT WORK.Senator King successfully pushed for the inclusion of additional funds for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation programs, including funding for research and development on active protection systems, tungsten manufacturing, and additive manufacturing initiatives. Maine research institutions and companies will be eligible to compete for some of these projects.PROVIDING MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH HIGH-QUALITY, MAINE-MADE EQUIPMENT.The NDAA authorizes $800.6 million in funding to purchase 7 CH-53 helicopters, which include components produced at Hunting Dearborn in Fryeburg. The legislation also includes $201.2 million for advance procurement of these helicopters.BOLSTER AMERICAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING.The NDAA includesa King-backed amendment to support the production and development of microelectronicsin the United States. The amendment mirrors the King-cosponsoredAmerican Foundries Act of 2020,and will help support jobs at two Maine factories.RENAMING MILITARY BASES:The conference report establishes a commission to study and provide recommendations concerning the removal of names, symbols, displays, and monuments that honor the Confederate States of America on Department of Defense land and facilities worldwide. This report must be made within three years of the NDAA's enactment.IMPROVING PANDEMIC RESPONSE:In order to bolster America's response to any future pandemic disease, the conference report directs the Secretary of Defense to develop a strategy for pandemic preparedness in response.INCREASING MILITARY PAY.The legislation authorizes a 3 percent pay raise for members of the Armed Forces, and increases hazard pay by 10 percent.EXPANDING TELEHEALTH FOR VETERANS:This year's NDAA would expand the ability for VA health professionals to provide healthcare via telemedicine. This effort builds on work done during the coronavirus pandemic to improve access to care for veterans, and would help older veterans and those who live in rural areas stay connected to healthcare providers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 5, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Independent", "p1": "ME", "p2": "2021"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "Independent", "label": "Independent", "count": 5, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=ME&year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 5, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2021&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "ME", "label": "ME", "count": 5, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&year=2021", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME&year=2021", "results": [{"value": "2021", "label": "2021", "count": 5, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Independent&state=ME", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 225.84281605668366, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}